Red-rimmed eyes exhausted from crying. She’s lost count of the tears that streamed down her face with reckless abandon. The heart-wrenching pain after losing their cat Nala, who died in her arms. Her partner in another country unable to say goodbye. 2026 was a year that was challenging for them so far. A second cat, Loki who had to have surgery. Struggling to keep still, scared to lose him too. They say bad things come in threes, and theirs was triple that. Financial strain, and less paid work than she had last year. Feeling bad in herself, aware she wasn’t even in the right mental state. Being diagnosed with ADHD, and discovering new traumas that fed on her fractured skin. Her mind constantly on the go, her body agitated. Health scares, and physical and mental health issues that threatened to consume. Things breaking down in the house. An infestation of bugs that made her feel ashamed. As though it erased all the hard work she put into keeping her home clean. She spent weeks plagued by paralysis. Unhappy, trying to navigate life as normal. To see friends and paste on a smile. To try and work even when her heart was breaking. She reconnected with family, but that had its challenges too. Uncovering family secrets that triggered her anxiety. Dealing with the feeling of constant rejection, and trying not to take things personally but failing. It had been seven months of hardships, and she didn’t know how much more she could take. How much longer she could wade through the difficulties and keep her head above water. To feel good and find release that soothed her constant nightmares, insomnia and panic attacks. As strange as it sounded, it’s why she started this vegan summer gift guide. To find an outlet where she could write about something other than Nala’s death. Where she could channel that hurt into giving back to others. It’s what she would have wanted. And so she did. Not shying away from the hard truths. Learning to be comfortable with the idea of being uncomfortable even when her body tried to riot.
Those early days spent writing about how Nala died and everything afterwards haunted her. The memories of everything else that happened that year flooding back. Things breaking down in the house. Fractured friendships and relationships with family. Trying to pick herself up, but ‘failing everytime’. It wasn’t a failure though, not really. She was someone who felt things strongly. She don’t fake her reality and pretend everything was OK. But there were positives too. Those were the memories she clutched onto. Playing Mario Party with her partner, and winning 8 stars, giving her a confidence boost. When she did get paid work coming in feeling grateful that she could contribute. Learning to write again, without solely being focused on grief. Spending time with her best friends, family, partner and cats. Finding laughter in the silence left behind by times arrow. It was those happy memories that propelled her forward. Reminding herself that even if she felt anxious, depressed, agitated or frustrated that those feelings were temporary. Eventually, she would heal. Not the same as before. She learned to adapt with a new space in her heart for trauma. To not run away from it but embrace it head on. She had been assessed for therapy once more as she had done in the past, and the waiting list was two years. The system was broken, but she wouldn’t stop trying to get better. And so she focused on vegan summer gift ideas from skincare to fashion, food, and travel. Discovering products that trudged up painful memories that at the same time felt like dopamine. Not the forced kind. But the one where you smile for real. Crooked teeth stretched out like a Cheshire Cat.
She would delve into skincare. At 3AM, where the veil between the living and the dead was thin. Reaching for Tolpa Authentic’s Moisturising Cream, to soothe cheeks tight from clenching. She relaxed her jaw. Let the tears mingle into cream splattered on her red-streaked skin. She breathed in the scent of the Shea Butter, softening skin that had been abandoned for so long. Acknowledging the familuar rise of panic that threatened to overspill. She let the feeling wash over her without judgement. It couldn’t soften what had happened, no. But her face remembered. What true relaxation felt like. She stored that memory away for later. For the days she’d get frustrated and overstimulated. She reached for her cosmetics bag, emblazoned with Strawberry Shortcake. Pulling out Deliah’s Radiant Eye perfector patting around eyes that had seen things she’d rather forget. So she trained her eyes to see a new perspective. Not rose tinted glasses but realism rooted in optism that things would get better. It had to. Her eyes looked less hollow, the bruised smudges underneath brightened. She glowed. Perhaps a vegan summer gift was just that. A treat not only for her and her partner, but for her readers too. She reached for her ethical colourful laptop bag from The Tote Project. The Meow Meadow print reminding her of what she’d lost. Where Nala was everywhere but nowhere. In photographs and memories. No longer videos in her mind, but moving images, caught in stactic. She shook her head. This would be a good day. Nala would want her to put one step forward in front of the other. And so she did. Writing about silly things like butterflies and apples. Letting happy words flow out of her naturally. Life was worth living.
She returned home yawning, a 14 hour shift muddling her brain. Her body tried to fight against her. To tell her to just jump onto the sofa and wriggle and writhe with agitation. But she told it otherwise. Slipping under a tepid shower using Tootilab’s signature routine for curly hair. Detangling conditioner working through knots she had given up on for far too long. Where days of even brushing her hair felt impossible. She returned to herself in small pieces. Each brush stroke scented with cedarwood and amber. Letting the hour wash over for her, the bathroom window letting a gentle breeze wrap her in love she’d denied herself for too long. She yawned, sleep clawing at her eyes with venom. A migraine pulsating, driving nails into places where thoughts are supposed to form. So she found All About That Sleep’s Bamboo Sleep Mask. Resting sore eyes on a bed of satin. Erasing nights awake with thoughts that would not die down. She replaced with them with kindness. Remembering that all this pain she was feeling was normal. That there would be days where she would sleep and feel calm. She’d spent time visualizing herself in her mind. The face that had changed with grief. That had cried. That had aged. But it was ok. Evidence not of everything she had lost, but what was left in its place.
The next evening, she burned incense and tried to meditate. Remembering how her physio had told her that even a minute was a celebration. Using her 7 Chakra Wide Incense Holder to align her senses. Her mind tried to escape zen. To indulge in fear. To return to guilt. To wallow in grief. To hold onto time anxiety and let it consume her. But she realized that she could try to centre herself. A vegan summer gift that would teach her self-care. She wasn’t good with silence, so she put on white noise. Letting the scent of Earth’s blend of amber woods, earthy musk, tonka bean and mitti renew her energy. She sat cross-legged trying to focus on her breaths without judgement. Prone to getting frustrated easily when she couldn’t do something. She walked over to the bookshelf, craving stimulation to soothe her jagged mind. Opening BOSH! More Plants. Getting excited over a vegan summer gift that would teach her new recipes, and feed her mind, body and soul. Ginger and black bean brownies for when she wanted something sweet. Melt in your mouth, she let the feel-good chemicals shower her in adoration. Rocket, pea & pistachio linguine with a drizzle of olive oil. Adding a sprinkle of nooch, a twist of salt and pepper. Smoky smashed chickpeas dusted in paprika and lemon. Slathered on rustic sourdough bread. She fed herself at first because of neccessity. But then, it was defiance. Against her own mind and body that tried to stop her from being kind. Slowly, the vegan summer gift guide became more than just a review. It was evidence that she was doing the absolute best she could. That she could still be frightened and make dinner. That miss something terribly but still laugh. Be exhausted but listen to what her body needed. To ignore the voices that made life sharp. Finding beauty in the small things. Knowing that a vegan summer gift was about a little colour, food, and care. That was good enough for her.
Skincare
Saturday reared its sleepy head. She went through the motions. Organic Rose Water Cleanser & Toner again. Beginning with a clean, albeit sleep-addled canvas. A new step, the Hydrating Clay Mask with Hyaluronic Acid. She mixed 1 teaspon of water to form a paste. Letting the clay mask marinate for 10 minutes. The luxurious powder clay face mask combining cleansing Moroccan lava clay and bentonite. With much needed hydration from high molecular weight hyaluronic acid and coconut milk. She was cynical at first. There had been clay masks she had used in the past that had dried out her skin. Yet this one cleansed her skin, and hydrated it at the same time. After just one use, her skin was smoother, and more radiant. As far as vegan summer gift ideas went, YNNY’s natural skincare addressed almost every skincare need. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply. Finishing her spa weekend with the Enhanced Collagen Booster 3-in-1 Serum. Designed with bioactive ingredients to stimulate collagen production and brighten skin. As someone who was once scared of hyaluronic acid, she appreciated how hydrated her skin felt afterwards. With Vitamin C for brightening and Aloe Vera to stimulate collagen and elastin fibres. With gentle enzymatic exfoliation for silky smooth skin. After several uses, she noticed that her rosacea was soothed, and less prominient. Her dark spots were beginning to flatten. But the biggest difference? How much brighter her skin now looked. She smiled naturally, for the first time in a while. Hot, thick tears replaced with bubbles of laughter snorted through her nose. She awas healing.
Prices:
Hydrating Clay Face Mask With Hyaluronic Acid £25.99
Enhanced Collagen Booster 3-In-1 Serum £22.99
Organic Rose Water Cleanser & Toner £10.49
Lactic Acid Exfoliator £9.49
Elixir Anti-Aging Serum £24.49
Shower & Bath
Battle Green Plastic-Free Self-Care Faves
The evening was bruised with purple, and blue. Gray clouds laced through a city that never slept. She dragged her tired bones through the dark, pouring non-alcoholic red wine in a cheap glass. The colour, crimson, reminded her of blood. Swilling under the too-bright white light of the bathroom. She centered herself. Feeling another cycle of grief knocking down her walls. Her beloved cat, 1 of three. Who passed away in April in her arms. She could picture the scene in her head. How sick her cat was at the end. Blind, disorientated. One day she collapsed, and never walked again. Waiting all those hours at the Vets trying to save her. How she held her in the final moments before she was put to sleep. She was scared, crying. In an unfamilar environment. But in just a few moments she calmed down. Purring, rubbing herself against her chin. Until she closed her eyes for the last time. People who weren’t animal lovers didn’t understand her grief. Why she was still not better. But Nala, that was her name, was her child. She still was. The tears still pour. The guilt still wreaks havoc on her panic-addled brain. But it wasn’t her fault. She tried everything she could to save her. And now? She punishes herself. Beating herself up again and again. As though Death dosen’t come for us all. Their time together was so short. She was so young. But they gave her so much love. She knew how much they adored her. She, the mum, is tired of feeling angry at herself.
Tonight, she shakes off the grief, and chooses kindness. Taking part in a meditative ritual, using Battle Green’s self-care products. PETA certified Vegan, cruelty-free, and plastic-free. Handmade in small batches in North Wales, using refillable packaging. She decides to have a Sunday reset. Not quite a Spa Day, but a whisper of one. A grounding mantra, she asks herself what she can hear. The gurgle of the bath-tub filling up with hot water. The wind licking at the glass window ferociously. The plaintative mewl of her two other cats rubbing against her legs for cuddles. She sinks into the velvety heat, steam enveloping her in a comforting hug. Breathe in, breathe out. Her salty tears mingle with the water until they fade. The heat scalds her skin in blooms of red. Her anxiety threatening to overspill. She reminds herself this feeling is temporary. Focusing on the Grapefruit & Neroli Lotion Bar. The feel of the lotion rubbed between her hands. Lathered onto her skin like satin. She takes a sniff, the citrus scent permeating her nostrils. Closes her eyes as she works her way across her body with intention.The lotion was rich, and buttery, with upcycled watermelon seed oil to reduce waste. She can’t stop the rush of memories that come flooding in. But she tries to change the narrative. Happier moments when Nala was still here. She’d probably curl up on the bathroom mat rolling around for attention. Ginger fur spreading across the cracked tiles.
She reaches for the Rose & Beetroot Clay Face Mask next. Packaged in eco-friendly compostable sachets, with natural ingredients. She adds a few drops of water to a teaspoon of powder. Applying the face mask to her clean skin. Remembering a trick her therapist had told her, to let thoughts float on by. So she did, concentrating on the sensation of the paste drying, and cracking. Gently removing it with a wet cloth, before splashing her face with cold water. The beetroot powder to keep the skin supple. Rose Geranium to brighten and remove dead skin cells. She took a sip of the non-alcoholic wine, laying in the bath until the water ran cold. Clambering out without grace, running her fingers across her chapped lips. She picked up the Peppermint Lip Balm, the scent reminding her of mint tea she used to drink growing up. The leaves steeped in hot water, caressing her throat with love. She pushes up gently from the base. Rubbing a small bit on her lips, that had been neglected lately. Made with organic Cocoa Butter, the scent of Chocolate whispering sweet nothings. A dash of Jojoba oil and Castor Oils softening her chapped lips. She finished her Sunday reset with Cocoa & Vanilla Dry Shampoo. Award winning for a reason, refreshing her hair before its next wash. Absorbing oil, leaving a light fragrance. She gave herself a scalp massage, sprinkling a little powder directly into the roots of her hair. Letting it sit for 30 seconds before brushing through her hair. The organic Arrowroot Powder leaving her hair feeling silky. The Amla Fruit Powder adding a touch of shine and fullness. The Kaolin Clay to prevent against dryness. Tonight she chose self-love. Remembering things that made her happy, even when life seemed bleak. Her favourite? The Rose & Beetroot Clay Face Mask, the ultimate vegan summer gift for those who wanted better self-care.
ElastiK Skin Advanced Skincare Range
She remembered when her skin was clear. Blemish-free, oily skin that was supple and youthful. She had mild Rosecea still at this point, but her skin was thriving. Having minimal breakouts. Glossy, non-textured skin that felt smooth. She didn’t use any skincare products. She just washed her face, and her skin glowed. But over the past three years she noticed a huge difference. Her once oily skin now dry and dehyrdrated. The beginnings of fine lines that weaved themselves like spider webs underneath her eyes. Inflamed rosecea. Cystic acne that she would pick at as a stimming behaviour, leaving behind dark spots. Textured skin, that would get rough easily, especially in the t-zone. Dark circles she never had before leeching at her skin. She put it down to aging, but the answer was so much more complicated than that. She had severe periods that would wreak havoc on her physical and mental health. Suffering from heavy, prolonged bleeding, longer than average periods, and extreme mood swings. Hormonal changes due to chronic stress and fatigue taking a toll on her skin. Blood sugar spikes that would bounce from high to low without warning. And who could forget her recent diagnosis of ADHD, which she didn’t know could impact her skin too.
She came across a powerful quote recently from Marc McKee, the founder of ElastiK Skin. “The beauty industry often treats skin as if it changes in a straight line.But skin does not behave that way. It responds to weight loss, stress, hormones, sleep, and lifestyle all at once. Skin is not ageing. Skin is evolving. Hearing those words, made everything click into place. The founder had lost 9 stone on a weight loss journey, and found regular skincare didn’t support elasticity, firmness, and barrier resilience. Though she hadn’t lost weight, her skin was ‘evolving’, she was suffering from chronic stress, had insomnia and hormonal issues. Add to the top of that ADHD, and it meant that self-care could often be overwhelming. She struggled to sit still, to relax, and do kind things for herself. But here was a routine that was just 2 steps that she could easily follow. And on days where she would forget or feel too overstimulated, she didn’t let herself feel bad. She wouldn’t overthink it.
So she trialled the two products for 9 weeks, to see if it made a difference. Vegan, cruelty-free, paraben free, gluten-free and nut-free, using natural origin ingredients. Ecocert/ COSMOS certified ingredients that were sustainably sourced too. She applies a few drops of Evolve Serum to her skin, infused with Jojoba Seed Oil, to keep her pores clear. A splash of Evening Primrose Oil to calm deep, painful inflammation. Pure Rosehip Fruit Oil with Vitamin A and C to speed up healing from dark spots. Unlike other serums she had used it didn’t feel greasy. Instead the oil felt silky, leaving a lightweight velvet finish on her skin. It wasn’t a miracle, but she could genuinely see that her dull and uneven skin was improving. After 9 weeks, her dark spots had considerably faded. She followed it up with the Resilience Matrix Night Cream, a rich overnight moisturiser to hydrate her skin while she (barely) slept. Cermides and lipids to rebuild her damaged skin barrier. Shea butter to fill in microcracks on dry skin areas without overloading it. Sea-Buckthorn & Elderberry to accelrate overnight cellular repair. Like the serum, it felt deeply hydrating. A fantastic vegan summer gift for someone who was struggling with hormones, the weather, aging and stress.
Tolpa Dermo & Authentic Skincare
It’s 3AM, the witching hour where the macrabre clings to dry grass. The hour where she would toss and turn, trying to get back to sleep. But instead, she is up for a 14 hour event job shift, bleary-eyed and confused. She switches on the light and yawns. Agitation crawling over her bones like an illness that never leaves. Willing herself to be mentally strong. That she could get through this. That she needed the money. She takes a deep breath, letting the motions take over. Eye drops, as her eyes often got dry and sore. A comb through an unruly mane that refused to be tamed. Her electric toothbrush zig-zagging across her yellowing teeth. She reaches for the Tolpa Authentic Moisturising Face Wash Gel, enriched with hyaluronic acid for hydration. A dash of torf tołpa.® (peat extract), rich in fulvic acids, amino acids and minerals. Naturally protecting, strengthening and comforting the skin. With 99% ingredients of natural origins, the formula felt refreshing on her tired, dehydrated skin. She splashes ice cold water to wake herself up, bristling at the temperature. Concentrating on the sensation of the gel on her textured skin. Infused with Lactic Acid , leaving the skin free from tightness that she got from other face washes.
She follows up with the Tolpa Dermo 3-Enzyme Face Scrub, that she’s started trialling once a week. She has sensitive skin so she dosen’t want to overuse it and irritate her weak skin barrier. Claiming to get a clearer complexion, with anti-imperfection treatment powered by Papain, Bromelain and Keratolin. She hadn’t noticed it clearing up her complexion, which was still prone to breakouts. But she did notice a reduction in blackheads, something she had struggled with for thelongest time. Designed for acne-prone skin, she was surprised it didn’t irritate her skin sensitivities. She wasn’t someone who did the best with fragranced products usually. However, like the rest of the cruelty-free skincare in her vegan summer gift guide, it was nourishing. She applied the peeling to her clean, dry skin, avoiding her eyes. Adding a thick layer onto her face. She sang a song to herself while she waited 10 minutes. Trying to channel the agitation, anxiety and ADHD into feel-good dopamine energy. Trying to prepare her mind for the long week ahead. Her alarm clock went off and she massaged her face with damp hands. Starting from then neck upwards, then across the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead. Her favourite product though? The Tolpa Authentic Moisturising Cream Squalene. Making her skin look more elastic and healthy. Feeling the hydration almost straight away. Eliminating flakiness and protecting the hydrolipidic barrier. As someone who had combination skin (dry, sensitive, acne-prone) her skin needed all the hydration it could get. The Squalane reinforcing the skin’s moisture levels. The Shea Butter to nourish and regenerate. The Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, a natural thickner to create a smooth, rich, texture.
Prices:
Tolpa Dermo 3-Enzyme Face Scrub £9.99
Tolpa Authentic Moisturising Cream Squalene £9.99
Tolpa Authentic Moisturising Face Wash Gel £8.99
AKT Scented Bodycare Range
Today she hands him the reins. Because men deserve tenderness too. Fighting back against macho culture perpetuated by the media. Ignoring the commands to just ‘push through it’. Refusing to believe that it ‘isn’t manly to cry’. Though the world taught him to mistake suffering for strength, he knew that it was OK to want something different. 2026 was one of the hardest years for them as a couple, navigating the death of one of their cats Nala, infestation in the home, financial difficulties, surgery for another cat, and physical and mental health issues. Was it any wonder that he didn’t invest in self-care? Why he stopped being as active? Wrapped up in a cocoon of depression, anxiety and trauma that submerged him angrily. She blinked through the tears, handing him three products like offerings him. Watching him decide whether he was ready to nourish his mind, body, and soul that lay dormant. She reached up behind him, his shoulders tense. Trauma burrowing into his shoulders with vengeance. Grief hollowing out the chest. Exhaustion lining his eyes like a twisted practical joke. The workouts stopped. The trainers were less trodden. Waiting for a man who could no longer remember where he was going. The sun illuminated the AKT scented bodycare range like haloes. Indigo, teal and lilac, bathed in golden light. He takes a deep breath, gestures for her to leave. A small smile licks her lips. Watches the determination set in his face. We change the narrative to his perspective.
He picks up the Foaming Body Scrub, in the scent Columbia Road. Reminding him of early Sunday mornings before Nala passed. Curled up in her pink sofa bed they had brought for Loki. Lazy sunrise wrapped around her ginger, white and black long fur. She yawned, her white toes outstretched, her stomach exposed. He shook his head, he couldn’t go there yet. And so he thought of abstract things. Of Columbia Road flower market, where him and his partner used to pass by when doing fashion shoots. Watching people carrying bouquets of flowers, tinkling laughter like shattered glass. Independent coffee shops around Spitafields Market and Brick Lane. Lemonade on the stalls by Truman Brewery. He held onto this last one, zesty lemon, cut stems and cold skies. But then there was iris wrapped around violet leaf. Warm hands on a coffee cup, despite the heatwave. Rounding out with amber and tonka bean. He works it into his skin, until the dead gathers beneath his hands. He’s jittery, impatient. Both of them having ADHD struggling to sit still. But he manages, the rice and sugar exfoliation working its magic. Papaya enzymes and nourishing oils leaving his skin baby soft. He watches as it foams, nourishing and brightening his skin, despite being sulfate free. If only sorrow could be rubbed away as easily he laments. If only trauma was skin that would shed. Until it vanished beneath running water. He slips out the shower and reaches for the Body Conditioning Balm in scent number three ‘The Onsen’. Pressing it into shoulders that have carried more than muscle, but silence too. Trying to be the ‘strong one’ for his partner, even when she told him again and again that it was okay to not be okay. It was ok to feel.
He breathes in the scent, steeped yuzu and tranquil lavender. A hush of mint. Spices coming through, mountain pepper and clove, it’s invigorating. Finishing the scent with Japanese Cedarwood meditating with Vetiver. For a brief still moment he feels calm. Imagining steam dancing over the hot spring. Soft Japanese citrus, cold earthy air rushing into his lungs. Visualizing the early morning sun bathing the cedar mountains in a hypnotic lavender light. The calm is replaced with energy, like a dance class in a bottle. He imagines himself doing a workout later. He tried yesterday but his palms felt too sweaty. His mind was hazy. His body still carried grief and loss. But today he feels good. He asks his partner if she wants to join him. She’s reluctant at first. But then seeing his motivation she’s inspired. Rubbing the firming and toning balm, with microbiome balancing prebiotics. It dosen’t feel drying. The olive squalene is hydrating, with brightening lactic acid like manna on their skin. Cruelty-free and plastic free, it was a vegan summer gift that was intentional. She watches his hands wrap around the Everyday Encore Body Oil in the scent Halcyon Summers. Unable to mask her grin at the rare tlc he is showing himself. His eyes light up, happiness radiating freely. This is his favourite of the three. A luxurious dry, natural body oil with rich, golden botanicals. His skin glowing, the oil absorbing quickly, locking in moisture. He’s almost taken aback. The scents triggering memories of home. Coastal wind, like Plymouth and Devon where he was from, and grew up. Fresh mint, like the peppermint tea his partner would drink when she had an upset stomach. Pomelo, he couldn’t quite place. But then there were the cascading geraniums that reminded him of his grandma’s garden. Vine tomatoes like his mum used to grow alongside chilli peppers. His stepmum Luisa drinking gin and tonic with sun-warmed skin. He rubbed in the oil, rosehip supporting healthy skin renewal.Sweet almond and jojoba oil softening his skin. He smiles at the man in the mirror. Feeling confident to try again. To excercise like he once loved. Letting himself feel, even when it was hard.
The Everyday Encore Body Oil (SC.04 Halcyon Summers) £35
The Foaming Body Scrub (SC.05 EXT.Columbia Road) £44
The Body Conditioning Balm (SC.03 The Onsen) £26
Fashion
Jolene Premium Nipple Covers
She wipes the sweat off her spot-ridden forehead. The sun glazing her olive skin in hedonistic sheen. The height of summer, she couldn’t remember the last time it had rained. When she’d felt the clouds squeeze angry raindrops, drenching her clothes. She shakes her head, grounding herself in the present. At Camber Sands, where the white sand caresses her feet like silk. The tide out, a chorus of children rockpooling. Couples smooching in grassy dunes. She is wearing a sundress that she thrifted on Vinted. Blue and yellow, a bow headband hiding her unruly mane. She feels confident, for once. Shaking off the melancholy, and the anxiety that coats her chest in terror. Feeling the sea breeze lick at her chapped lips, absorbing her pain.Normally, a dress like this would send her into a spin. Sure, some might understand her discomfort in a swimsuit. She wore one pieces for a reason. Trying to ignore the lingering eyes that followed her every move. But a dress? She had her reasons.
Today though, she had discovered Jolene’s Premium Nipple Covers. Her slightly sheer dress no longer the cultprit. Matte, non-reflective and ultra-thin tapered edges. Invisible even underneath her delicate fabrics. She placed her hands there and closed her eyes. It didn’t feel uncomfortable on her sensitive skin. She didn’t breakout into spots or a rash. Instead, she ran into the sea, waves lapping at her playfully. Waterproof, and skin-safe silicone covers under her backless dress. Despite the heat, the covers were sweat resistant. Staying in place from morning until late night, when they trudged back home wearily. Unlike bras, it didn’t make her chest feel heavy. Bras felt tight. They’d choke the life out of her. The sensation overstimulated her. It’s why she didn’t wear one 98% of the time. When she had to, it felt like she was in a prison of her own making. Counting down the hours where she could breathe again. As far as vegan summer gift ideas went, the reusable nipple covers were a life saver. A hack she’d come back to again, and again.
Price: £51.90 for Adhesive & Non Adhesive ( Shade is Almond)
The Tote Project Bags
She giggles, running barefoot underneath the branches of a Weeping Willow tree. Its long green fingers brushing dry cracked earth. Her face licked with a smile, the sunlight spilling into fractured shadows. She sinks into its hollowed depths, greedily grasping at her newest book. Turning the pages, watching the sun engulf her face like a Kaleidoscope. She thinks of freedom. Freedom from darkness that no longer had a name. Freedom from oppression that threatens to keep her underground. Freedom to rebel against the norm. Freedom to believe in kindness, compassion, and empathy for all living things. In September, it would be a year since she went vegan. But before that, she was vegetarian for 12/13 years, and cruelty-free for 7. Not wearing or using any animal products. Her fashion was no exception. Opting for vegan alternatives to accessories and clothes. Vegan leather handbags. Faux suede skirts. Bamboo athleisure. Vegan Heels. Vegan hats and crowns. It showed that fashion could be cruelty-free. That you could be colourful, and wear clothes and accessories from small businesses that didn’t use animal products too. The Tote Project, a brand she discovered last Christmas was a staple in her wardrobe. Sustainable bags that were colourful, but also raised awareness and money to prevent human trafficking. With vegan accessories that were kind to the planet, animals and humans. It was an ethos she could stand behind. Someone who regularly advocated for the needs of others whether it be humans or animals. She wanted to be a voice for the marginalized. Intentionally wearing brands who were ethical and thoughtful towards others.
The Tote Project’s range of sustainable bags are perfect for a vegan summer gift that is conscious.
This vegan summer gift would last all year round. With the Meow Meadow Laptop Case, Free To Dream Pouch, and Free To Imagine Tote protecting vunerable children at risk of exploitation and human trafficking. Investing over $100,000 in orders with fairtrade partners, The Tote Project has donated more than $50,000 to survivor focused non-profits. She could feel good knowing that each sale went towards a good cause. In fact, they also had a partnership with Impactful Missions, donating 10% of their net profits. She wasn’t surprised that their philantrophy had been recognized by Congress for its impact in the fight against human trafficking. She put down her book, yawning as the sun wrappped its weighted arms around her. Reaching into her Free To Imagine Tote, made with certified Organic Cotton. Produced in India, using eco-friendly inks, the tote had a beautiful rainbow peacock print, cascading with flowers. Designed by co-founder Fay A Grant, hand-painted in her mountain home in Ashville. It was sturdy and durable, made in a fairtrade factory where workers were paid fairly. She grabbed her water bottle from the interior pocket and drank deeply. The water dripping down her rough chin. Reaching for the mobile phone pocket, and slipping her Samsung inside. She grabbed the Free To Dream Pouch with her makeup inside. Deciding to get ready for the evening outside in nature. Listening to the birds sing merrily high up in the branches. A gentle breeze tickling her senses. The lining and tassels made from upcycled sari materials. Ethically sewn by survivors of exploitation and women at risk of trafficking. 30 minutes later, she packed up her bag, and headed home. Picking up her Laptop Case in the print Meow Meadow. Designed by artist Elonora Arosio, who super-imposed blue, orange and yellow cats dancing on a bed of flowers. Sturdy, and made with fairtrade cotton, she was still obsessed with it. She headed into the the cafe she was having a meeting at, Laptop Case in tow. Coming out with a new client and a compliment for her beautiful fairtrade bag.
Prices:
Laptop Case Meow Meadow £51
Free To Dream Pouch £22
Free To Imagine Tote £34
Hair
Lee Stafford Vegan Curl Range
She knows the warning signs. When humidity bares its gnarled teeth. Where the air chokes her, like a fever that refuses to break. It’s not just her skin that suffers in the summer. But her hair too. Hair half-way between wavy and curly, a tangled mess of knots . Frizz that makes her look like her hair has been electrocuted spiralling from her scalp. The ends of her hair dry and thirsty, falling out into her hairbrush, like they’ve been dead for years. The scalp fed with too much heat, oil and sweat. The roots strangled by dehydration, left to starve. Her curls, un-defined. A mass of volume sprouting from her shoulders like an excorcism she didn’t ask for. There are many aspects of summer that she loves. The longer nights, where the sun bathes her soul in dopamine. The seasonal fruit and veg that makes her mealtimes more exciting. Long walks into nature reserves where geese squawk for attention that she gladly gives. But her hair is not one of them. Messily escaping her hastily thrown together plait. Awkward stage baby-hairs curling upwards. Sort of curls standing in every direction. So she takes matters into her own hands. Praying that Lee Stafford’s vegan curl range would tame her wild hair into submission. Could it be a vegan summer gift that prevented against humidity? She starts with the Coco Loco Coconut Moisture Mist, infused with a blend of Coconut Oil and Agave Essence. Claiming that one spray would make her dry and dull hair soft and silky again. The Coconut oil rich in Lauric Acid. Hydrogenated Castor Oil to strengthen hair, Sunflower Hybrid Oil to condition hair without weighing it down. Her hair is still frizzy, weather-beaten and wild. But she notices that her hair does feel softer, and more hydrated. She loves the smell too. The coconut transporting her to warmer climes, where Palm trees sway on white sand beaches.
She grabs the For The Love Of Curls Custard Cream, working through damp waves that scrunch back into themselves. Watching loose curls shape into something more deliberate. Part styling cream, part nourishing treat, it was specifically designed for 2A to 3C curls. Depending on the day, her hair alternated between 2C and 3A, but she was aiming for 3B, to have more defined curls. She applied it liberally to her hair, praying it would give them the bounce and shine it deserved. Blended with smoothing Sunflower Seed Oil and Cocoa Butter, she noticed how her frizz was calmed. Nourishing her dry ends to protect against breakage. Lightweight Grape Seed Oil to moisturise and add shine to her hair. After a few weeks, she noticed an improvement in her curls. More defined, with less frizz, a vegan summer gift staple, that did wonders for her hair. Outside summer was out with vengeance. The flat hanging heavy with humidity that stole away their breaths. The sun burning strongly beating at their windows. Yet, the loose curls twisted around her face in a caress. Kicking and screaming, refusing to let it wreak havoc on her hair once more.
Prices:
Lee Stafford Coco Loco Coconut Moisture Mist 150ml £7.50
Lee Stafford For The Love Of Curls Custard Cream 125ml £9.50
Innersense Repair Mask
When she was 10 years old, she had been taken into foster care. Grateful at being rescued, she was struggling with her identity. Trying to forget years of trauma, that would manifest in later life as complex mental health issues. Her foster mum looked after a variety of kids while she lived with her. But the one who had the biggest impact? Laura, who like her, got fostered long-term. Who had Williams Syndrome, and was the most loving, funny, and kind human being. She would take her for long walks in her pushchair. Strolling past the quieter side of West Wittering Beach, the scent of seaweed permeating the air. Fishing boats docked, bobbing in calm waters. Another memory surfaced, more recent. Laura being gifted her own hot tub, inviting Ana to come in. Her foster mum turned on the jets, and they sank in gratefully. The bubbled water massaging their knotted skin. Her foster sister whooped with laughter, in her navy and pink swimsuit. A in a green and red marbled print swimsuit that L kept oohing and ahhing over. It was another unseasonably warm day, the rippled water caressing them with scalding heat. Her memory flitted again, when her foster sister met her boyfriend for the first time. Playing Just Dance, stubbing random keys on the keyboard. Singing tunelessly into an inflatable microphone, crying with laughter. It was these memories that drew A to Innersense, whose cruelty-free hair range was inspired by the founder’s daughter who had William’s Syndrome. Professional hair stylists who needed products that performed but didn’t compromise health and safety for results. Designed to raise clean hair care to a higher standard. Leaving out harmful and toxic ingredients and replacing them with ones that would benefit hair instead.
She reached for the Repair Mask, that claimed to nourish hair from scalp to root. A high-performance wellness system without gimmicks. She gestured to her foster sister to close her eyes, take a deep breath and become present. Something that was difficult for both of them, but somehow they managed. Letting the minutes wash over them without wishing away the time. A restorative bonding treatment to revitalize damaged hair, it claimed to fortify strands and build bonds. Infused with Hydrolyzed Moringa Protein, to repair hair from the inside out. Bonding with keratin sites to restore structure and strength. She noticed after extended use how it sealed her split ends to reduce the appearence of damage. Something she was grateful for, having not cut her hair in years. With Vitamin C and Tamanu Oil to minimize breakage, penetrating the hair cortex to increase resilience. She would use it every 2-4 washes instead of conditioner, adjusting based on her cleansing routine for that week. It smoothed flyaways, and made her hair more shiny. She wasn’t quite Claudia Winkleman, but her hair was more glossy, highlighting the silver strands in her dark gray mane. She loved using a product that brought so many happy memories. While there were other products, it was the repair mask that even her foster sister loved. Enjoying the sensation of their foster mum kneading it into her itchy scalp. When it came to a vegan summer gift, this was approved by both her, and her foster sister.
Price:
Repair Hair Mask $34
Tootilab Signature Routine Travel Size
She tosses and turns, frustrated gasping for air. Her tangled hair dragging beneath her skull. Caught between reddened cheek and flattened pillows. Every restless move wreaking havoc on her wilful hair. By morning, when the parakeets fly back to their nests, she’s a mess. Strands of hair across the pillowcase. Curls flattened into rumpled sheets. Frizz puffed around her hair like a halo she’d rather not have. Despite her best attempts, her hair has no sense of direction. Another futile night trying to sleep plaugued by memories she wished weren’t real. If only she could turn back time. But she can’t. Stuck in the here and now, roots slick with the sweat of nightmares. Her black clambers onto the bed. Curling into a ball, nuzzling her calloused feet. She stretches, her bones cracking underneath the weight of pressure that engulfs her greedily. Padding into the bathroom, desperate to wake up. She picks up Tootilab’s Signature Routine, and places the products on the bathroom shelf. Shaking her hair out like a dog underneath the cold water seeping from the shower. Starting with the Gentle Shampoo, adding generously to her scalp, but not her lengths. She was surprised, as didn’t foam as much as her normal shampoo. Yet its gentle surfacants were sustainably sourced from palm or coconut. Washing the scalp without stripping curls of their moisture. She added a touch of hot water, to make the temperature more tolerable. Adding a second dose of shampoo for a deeper cleanse. Focusing on her fingers kneading the tension out of her scalp. Crafted with a gender neutral scent, with patented calming fragrance technology. Scientifically proven to lift your mood. It was true. The feeling of the shampoo combined with the freshness of the shower left her feeling invigorated despite the lack of sleep.
The Detangling Conditioner was her favourite. Someone cursed with tangle-prone hair that refused to do what she said. On particularly tangled days, she would use it to detangle before she shampooed. Then again afterwards for an extra boost of moisture. But today was simpler, relishing in the moisturising blend of blackcurrant and coconut. Designed to replenish hair lipid content. Balancing prebiotics from chicory root to nurture good bacteria on the scalp and maintain balance of microbiome. She found that it didn’t weigh her hair down, while still detangling some of her most stubborn curls. Hair felt smoother, and more silky, the scent of Lemon, Cedarwood and Amber filling her mind with clarity. She rinsed off the conditioner, the sound of her cat mewling outside to be let in making her smile. She opened the door, and let her tabby cat in. How could she say no to her pleading yellow eyes. She turned her attention back to her hair. Picking up the Soft Leave-In-Cream to hydrate and condition her unruly mane. She was mindful that it wasn’t a styling product. That it wasn’t about defining curls or controlling frizz. But like the other two products it felt beautifully soft. Upcycled from the waste of imperfect oranges, an active to replace proteins. Infused with Softening BTAC, naturally derived from Rapeseed Oil. One of the best ingredients to soften and nourish curly hair like hers. It wasn’t heavy or greasy, nor did it feel drying. What she appreciated most was that the routine was simple to follow. Especially on days where her anxiety was so high, and self-care seemed so out of reach. She found the range helped with humidity, and protection from heat damage. It was also easier to brush her hair, and her scalp felt clean without feeling stripped of its essential natural oils. When it came to a vegan summer gift that wasn’t overwhelming, Tootilab’s travel range appealed to her immensely.
Price: Signature Routine £52
Travel
Incognito Insect Repellent Range
They batted at the mosquitoes that lurched into their home with greed. Searching for their next meal, the buzz irritating their eardreams. It had been an unseasonably hot summer, and the bugs were out in force. At a home where they never had a single spider in the five years they had lived there. But this year? Nightmare fuel for her, someone who was terrified by bugs. And for her poor partner D, he turned out to be allergic to bugs. His throat closing up, his lungs wheezing. Raised red puffy bumps that he furiously scratched at. No matter what bug it was that fed on his skin, he’d have an allergic reaction. They were confused at the influx of bugs. Living a couple of floors up, and having had barely any bugs the whole time in their apartment. Turned out the increase in the bug population was because of the unusually mild winter, and rising average temperatures linked to climate change. She shuddered. Hearing the flies beating their wings against the window. Moquitoes like silent assassains. Needle-mouthed, hungry for blood. But it wasn’t just mosquitoes that burrowed into their home. Fruit flies from banana gone soft. Forgotten sweetness from a few days old fruit. Spiders with yawning mouths puncturing his skin with glee. Biting midges slipping through small cracks, searching for food.
The worst though? The cockroaches and bed bugs. Her stomach lurched everytime she thought of them. Her who put so much effort into cleaning, infested with these creatures. Bodies shining like wet coffins, attenas probing the floor. Scurrying from the crumbling arteries of walls, hiding in the damp underneath the fridge. They put traps, sprays, natural remedies. But still they muscled their way into their home. As for the bedbugs? They weren’t swarms like the cockroaches and mosquitoes, but they were there. Creatures that suckled at his ripe blood, synchronized bites in rows. At this point she was terrified to sleep, and even eat. They were working on the infestation seperately. Scraping money together to get bug control out. But for the mozzies and flies? Her partner had found that Incognito’s Insect Repellent Range was helping him with his allergies. It would come in handy for both of them when they were hopefully travelling later in the year. A three step process. The first a Hair And Body Wash, designed to camouflage its users from biting and stinging insects. Using organic bergamot, tea tree oil and java citronella to repel pesky insects. Free from irritants, parabens and detergents, ideal for her partner who had sensitive skin just like her. He found it soothing, lathering it into his fading ginger hair and pebbled skin. Running cold water, breathe in, breathe out. Vegan certified, the citrus aroma was pleasing, reminding him of the orange trees they coveted in Italy several years ago. With 10% of profits donated to charity, the packaging was made from 100% recycled ocean prevented plastic. It was eco friendly, and complemented the other two products beautifully.
He applied the award winning Anti-Mosquito Spray next, clinically proven by the London School of Hygeine & Tropical Medicine to give 100% protection against mosquito bites. It also claimed it had tropical strength protection against other biting insects like midges and ticks. They couldn’t believe their eyes. Him, whose skin had been so ravaged by bites recently finally protected against mozzies. It actually worked, breathing a sigh of relief that one problem had been solved. Was it any wonder that incognito® was the UK’s #1 natural insect repellent brand? He finished his mozzy protection with the Insect Repellant. Powered by high quality PMD, the plant based repellent wasn’t drying like other ones they had tried. It was surprisingly moisturising, with 100% natural ingredients and free from DEET. What was once a losing battle had become a triumph against flies. He almost weeped with happiness. Wondering if the hair and body wash, spray and repellent could withstand hotter temperates abroad. When it came to a vegan summer gift for her partner, the insect repellent products deserved a gold star!
Price:
Mini Hair & Body Wash £8.99
Insect Repellent Moisturising Lotion £15.99
Anti Mosquito Spray £13.99
Stil Suncare Daily Face SPF 30
The sun crept into the sky, its’s fingers wrapped around her red-streaked throat. Choking on stifling air, wondering when the heatwaves would stop. She hated the rain. But somehow, she craved it. To wash her skin in coolness that she hadn’t seen in months. She had been too haphazard with her previous sunscreen. Slathering copious amounts of it on her sensitive skin. Terrified, after getting badly sunburnt at the beach. Remembering how her skin was blistering to the touch for two weeks. Her tan mottling into zig-zagged patches. It wasn’t just that. But a family member who had skin cancer last year, making her cautious of her own mortality. The sunscreen she used had a white cast, feeling heavy, though moisturising on her skin. She had mixed it with a thick moisturiser, and often put it under makeup. The result? An abnormal level of breakouts. Cystic acne puncturing her skin like spider bites. Dark spots left behind that made her feel self-concious. She couldn’t be sure. Partly due to hormonal changes, and stress too. Yet the coincidence wasn’t accidental. The sunscreen was filled with chemicals, was it any wonder her sensitive skin would retaliate?
But Stil Suncare’s Daily SPF 30 was filled with natural ingredients. Soothing, hydrating and protecting her blemish-prone skin. No nasty chemicals, with non-nano zinc, forming a protective shield against UVA and UVB rays. Infused with Vitamin E to support a healthier skin barrier. Protecting her skin from environmental stress. Vegan, cruelty-free and kind to the oceans, she couldn’t have asked for better sun protection. She was skeptical, but it was non-comedogenic, feeling lightweight on her skin. She tested it out on a particularly sweltering day. Where temperatures soared to 36 degrees. The cats panting as the flat became unbearably warm. The sound of the local Ice Cream van chugging down her road, it’s jingle like an earworm. She applied it, and marvelled as it reduced her redness and reactivity. Seamless on her face, with no white cast. Unlike her other sun cream, a little went a long way. Naturally transparent, with mineral UV filters sitting on the skin’s surface to reflect rays. Unlike other mineral sunscreens she had tried before, it wasn’t chalky. Instead, her skin felt glowy. Healthy. Nourished from within. She took it everywhere, walking through Walthamstow Wetlands, photographing Horses and Highland Cows. Making friend’s with a flock of Geese. Skipping past Canal Boats in Clapton and mischievious cats. She wandered until her feet cramped. Toes curling in on themselves. Her bare sun-kissed skin framed with red sunglasses. Today had been a good day. Testing out a vegan summer gift idea that actually did what it said on the box.
Sleep
All About Sleep Bamboo Pillowcases & Sleep Mask
For as long as she could remember she had problems with sleep. Dark thoughts clawing at her mind. Leeches draining her of energy. She’d wake up, startled. Another nightmare, triggered by complex PTSD. Flashes of memories. Her beloved cat wbo died in April, in her arms. Blaming herself, riddled in guilt. The infestation in the home that had her scared to relax. Past jobs where she was made to feel less then. They merged in a nightmarish hodge-podge. The panic attacks gouging at her breaths. She’d try and breathe, but the air got stuck in her throat. Desperately swimming, trying to stay afloat. She couldn’t remember the last time she had a good night’s sleep. Her doctor’s were exasperated. How could it be worse, you say this everytime. But it was true. The anxiety was taking over, and she didn’t know how to cope. Her partner would ask her to wake him. But she tried to choke it down. And on days where she couldn’t, she’d walk around the house. Pacing, wishing she didn’t see the ink night sky bleed into sunrise.
The accumulation of lacklustre sleep, left her with sharp migraines. Tearing at her skull. Closing her eyes, feeling a thumping behind them. She didn’t want to come across as negative, but finding joy was hard. Especially when she spent the majority of her time crying, unhappy, and frustrated. All About Sleep understood what it was like to be an Insomniac. Creating wearable sustainable sleep products made out of bamboo, that felt like luxury. She was skeptical. She hadn’t even found medication that helped with her mental health, let alone natural products. Yet she found herself reaching for the Organic Bamboo Sleep Mask with renewed hope. Her old one frayed, uncomfortable on the eyes. This one? Soft, and gentle on her sensitive skin. Breathable, blocking out light on days where she could no longer look at screens. Sore eyes alleviated. She found herself falling asleep wearing them. The faint jingle of Family Guy in the background. But it wasn’t a miracle. She still spent hours awake frustrated. Trying to calm herself down, and stay grounded. The migraines though? It helped, regulating temperature so she stayed cool. Naturally antimicrobial, with a comfortable elasticated band. She sank into her new Bamboo Pillowcases, a vegan alternative to Mulberry Silk. Her tangled mass of curls sinking into the natural fibres with ease. The anti-friction properties reducing frizz and hair breakage. The coolness of the cases felt calming on her skin. Waking up in the night a bit less stressed. Perhaps with time, her nightmares would dissipitate. Replaced with wondorous dreams that would line her face in a gleeful smile. If only. But as far as vegan summer gifts? Sleep was worth the investment.
Prices:
Bamboo Eye Mask In Horizon Navy £29.99
Bamboo Pillowcases x 2 £29.99
Cosmetics
Deliah’s Glowy Makeup Range
She traces the imprint of fine lines like constellations under her eyes and grimaces. She always thought she’d be that person who would embrace aging. Not this person scared to live because she couldn’t keep up with the passage of time. She flexes a smile in her water-streaked bathroom mirror. Her hooded eyes swallowed up by laughter lines. Dark brown hair threaded with silver. Dry, coarse, her skin mottled too. Redness flushing her cheeks. Dark spots from a sudden influx of breakouts, that refused to go away. The thing is, even when she was younger, she wasted so much time fixating on her imperfections. Life was too short, and before she knew it, another five years would pass without fanfare. No, she would speak to that girl in the mirror, and be kinder. Her face was a testament to her strength. Every line a memory recorded in time. Every imperfection a reminder that she was human. She was worth more than the insecurities that she projected on herself. She needed compassion. Everyday, she would get herself out of bed, even when life felt impossible. She would shake off her sobs, and get back up. Trying again. And Again. And Again. No matter how many times she fell, she was always her own best anchor. She needed to remember that.
She splashes cold water onto her weary face. Fighting back a yawn as she applies her natural makeup for the day. She squeezes out deliah’s Future Resist Skin Primer onto her fingers. The silky sensation light on her lacerated skin. Paying extra attention to the areas that needed TLC. Her cheeks rounding out in a smile as she blended. Enrinched with peptides to blur and smooth her complexion. It was too soon to tell whether it would boost her collagen, but it felt good to look after herself. To invest in self-care without it feeling like a chore. She checked the time. 6AM. The hour where many were still snoozing in their beds. Watching the morning rear its cloudy head sleepily. She reached for the Radiant Eye Perfector, tensing slightly. It was one of her biggest insecurities right now. She pumped it to the back of her hand, before patting it around her eyes. Dabbing a little more under the bruised purple-gray clouds under her eyes. It looked a little brighter. Unlike concealer that sank into her skin’s crevices like sin. Infused with Cocoa Seed Butter and Micro Algae Extract for moisture and cellular boosting action. She grabbed her blending sponge, applying a mix of Future Resist Foundation and Skin Tint, for glowy skin. The first, a lightweight foundation with buildable coverage. Infused with tri-peptide to decrease wrinkles and fine lines, with a splash of Vitamin E. She could see it working. Her previous foundation clinging to her aging skin. This one embracing the changes in a way that felt kinder.
Infused with SPF 20, with subtle luminosity. But paired with the Skin Tint? Mesmerizing, with dewy luminosity that made her glow from within. Sheer sun-kisssed colour for a vegan summer gift that would be a staple all year round. She dotted it onto her cheebones, jawline and forehead. Her sleep-rattled skin warmed up. Drenched in Mango Leaf to neutralise free radical damage. Swathed in Niacinamide for minimizing pores and uneven skin tone. She whispered affirmations in the mirror. Commiting this rare moment of stillness to memory. It might have been a natural makeup day, but her cheeks were her signature. She loved blush. Pinks and reds against her olive-pinky red skin. The Radiant Liquid Blush in Peony was no exception. Usually preferring powdered versions. Finding liquid blushes strange on her textured skin. But this was infused with French Rose Extract. Anti-inflammatory, and hydrating, with Hibiscus Flower to tighten the skin. She added a playful pop of colour, watching how it swallowed up her bathroom light. Finishing her vegan summer gift round up with deliah’s Hydrating Skin & Makeup Mist. She closed her eyes misting over her ‘no makeup’ look for extra hydration. It felt soothing on her skin, Damask Rose to minimise pores and fine lines. Pomnegranate for much needed moisture. It was perfect. She felt confident. Finishing with a sweep of mascara and brow gel, for a long event job shift. Would it last all day?
Prices:
Time Frame Future Resist Foundation In Shell £39
In Bloom Radiant Liquid Blush In Peony £24
Wake Up Radiant Skin Tint In Amber £39
Underwear Future Resist Skin Primer £40
Wake Up Radiant Eye Perfector £28
Wake Up Radiant Hydrating Skin & Makeup Mist £34
Earthy Nail Polish
She tries to follow hours she cannot keep. Wishing she could pause the good memories in time, and erase the rest. To turn back the clocks. To a time where she was younger. A period where she was more present. A journey where she felt happier. Not one confined by the ticking of the clock. Watching the hours slip into days. The days into weeks. Weeks into months and years. The mounting horror wondering where the last five years had gone. Where morning appears and her mind already leaps forward to afternoon. Afternoon vanishing, as she worries about a tomororow that might never be. At night mourning a day she was too anxious to actually live. She can’t seem to be present. To relax and shake off the intense agitation that gnaws at her fragile bones. She walks past the present, stuck in paralysis between past and future. Sitting with her remaining cats, thinking about what needs doing later. Watching RuPaul’s Drag Race but too consumed with panic to relax. She laments the growth of people around her. Happy for them, but a bittersweet feeling for her. Feeling like she isn’t making life count. That she is no way near where she wants to be. She writes endless lists in the hope to do better. But there are tasks left undone. Opportunities unsaid. She hasn’t come to term fully with aging yet, though she’s on a journey. Wondering when she transformed from a baby-faced curly haired young adult, into someone who was almost 33. Sometimes life feels fast. Too many tasks to do in a day. Wondering how she could do everything and still feel like she has room to breathe. But the quietness is unsettling too. It makes her feel like she has no purpose. When nothing is happening. There’s no relief, her skin crawls. Searching for an emergency, in constant fight or flight. She tries to tell her mind that it’s ok. That she’s safe. Finds herself things to do. Mistaking motion for safety. But speed swallows her whole. Messages, deadlines, noise she can’t turn off. Imaginary doors that screech her name from somewhere she can’t reach.
Looking for a vegan summer gift that is non toxic? Earthy Nail Polishes are a fantastic choice!
Then she stops. Tells herself to do something small that can’t be hurried. That teaches her that sitting still wasn’t a threat. Her hands are shaky. Intentionally picking up Earthy Nail Polish’s In The Zen Collection. Something small enough to catch her. Four pastels, Barely There, a creamy beige that she puts aside for her Aunty. A Hint Of Mint, bordering on sage green that evokes nature. Lemon Zest, a colour she gravitated towards after Nala’s death. Lilac Tide, the colour of lavender fields, she told herself she’d visit. She chooses two, Lemon Zest and Lilac Tide. One the colour of sunshine and hope. The other tranquility and flowers. Unscrews the caps, but her fingers race ahead of her mind. Paints too quickly with impatience. Smudges polish across sweaty palms. Removes, starts again. Three times, she dosen’t know why she can’t do it. She knows it is a trigger when she can’t do something. But this vegan summer gift is meant to be dopamine boosting. So she takes a breather. Calms down and remembers her intentions. Tries to tamper down the time anxiety that whispers into her consciousness. To forget the endless emails. The messages. The invisible administration of being someone who lets things pile up. But she needs to learn. How to wait without feeling guilty. How to relax without wishing she was someone else. After all Earthy Nail Polish was all about vegan and cruelty-free nail products that were feel good. In The Zen inspired by finding inner peace, while slowing down. With natural origin ingredients, for high shine and long lasting finish. Using a sustainable seal cap and castor seed brush. This time, she painted, letting the imperfections stay. Bojack Horseman in the background, poignant and vunerable like her. She lets the nail polish dry. Applies another coat, repeating the words that slow dosen’t mean waste. That she dosen’t need to rush though every part in case something uglier arrives afterwards.
Price:
Earthy Nail Polish Summer Collection – In The Zen £24.95
Thoughtful Vegan Summer Gifts
Laughing Sisters Sassy Feminist Gifts
For 32 years she didn’t know it had a name. The restless energy inside her that made it impossible to relax. She thought it was anxiety. It was. But it was also something else. Wondering why she spent years working on herself. Desperately trying to get better. To be happier. To be less anxious. To look at the world with optimism that didn’t feel forced. She wanted to be that person who could switch off the breathlessness. The panic attacks and frustration when things went wrong. To be ok with being out of control. But she was always someone who needed to know the answer. Who needed validation for how she was feeling. Some people didn’t like labels. Didn’t need them. But labels helped her make sense of the world. Her brain was different to others. She always knew that. She felt like she had to work 10x harder to understand. To be seen and heard. When she got diagnosed with ADHD, so much made sense. How she was easily forgetful, relying on her to-do-lists and calendars to keep her on track. How she’d get overwhelmed and put too much on her shoulders. Leaving her to do everything at once at the last minute. How she’d constantly fidget, her leg rocking up and down. But there were positives too. Her ADHD made her seek out the dopamine. Even when she was feeling beyond shitty, she still tried, never giving up. And so she made a connection. To her love of creativity, and how it stimulated her over-worked brain. Her love of colourful TV shows like Drag Race, that had become her comfort during uni. Reality TV shows that made her laugh, gasp, and cry. Adult cartoons like American Dad that she’d put on TV to help her sleep, even for a little bit. She’d escape into historical fiction, mesmerized as she time travelled into Ancient Egypt in Cleopatra by Saara El-Arifi. Swoon at complex female anti-heroes in The Wrath Of The Fallen by Amber V Nicole, lost in its tantalizing pages. Everything from her books, to TV shows and clothes had the dopamine she craved in her own life.
She gravitated towards bright colours, and Laughing Sister’s thoughtful feminist gifts were powerful. They were funny, sassy, and had a great message. From socks, to books, to coasters, her eyes lit up with glee. Sat there unravelling packages one by one. Cross-legged in an alphabet print red dress with pockets. Feet tucked into well-scuffed Mary Jane’s. Fingernails bitten to stubs playing absentmindely with her red knotted headband. Glittery lobsters dangling from reddened ears. She closed her eyes. Let her hands choose a gift at random. She smiled impishly. An Adult Nursery Rhymes Book, in unassuming navy. Gold lettering enticed her, as she opened the book to a random page. Ironic that it poked fun at vegans. But she found it funny, the words ‘half a pound of turkey legs, half a pound not eaten. What a waste of an animal’s life Stop! Shouts the vegan. She asks her partner to choose a random page. They wait in anticipation, an ADHD couple wondering what wisdom they’d encounter next. 144 pages of NSFW rhymes that had them gasping for laughter. Her personal favourite? ‘It’s raining, its pouring. Oh shit its global warming. Greta said we’ll all be dead because Thunberg’s fucking boring. She had happy tears for once, snot shooting out her nose. Putting on silly voices as they took turns to read nursery rhymes with each other.
She reached into the box and picked up two colourful dopamine boosting socks. The first broccoli green with cartoonish strawberries, smiley peas and flying carrots. The words ‘Did I Tell You I Was Vegan’ a homage to vegans who never stopped telling people about it. Hey, there were worse things to yap about. She was proud to be vegan and would wear her bamboo socks with pride. The bamboo making an ideal vegan summer gift as it was a breathable material. Cooling down her sweaty tootsies in super soft and sustainable socks. The second pair just as whimsical. Pink and red, her favourite colour combination. The words ‘You’re A Pizza Me’ next to the cutest yellow and red pizza heart. Cotton rich, and OEKO-Tex Certified, it was a love letter to herself. She was a ‘piece of herself’, and it was time that she appreciated it, ADHD brain and all. Whenever she looked at them she felt a small smile creeping across her face. Replacing her boring plain red socks, with these, clashing against her alphabet dress in the best way. There was a third and final gift. A racocous coaster with the words ‘You Ray of F*cking Sunshine’ summing her up in one sentence. It had a double connotation. Someone was actually a ray of sunshine, or someone was a grumpy f**k. It turned out she was both. She had days where she was delirious with laughter. Some days where she couldn’t stop crying. And times where no matter what she tried she felt miserable and irate. So it was realistic, but funny. Using it whenever she had a glass of water, or a cup of herbal tea. Reminding herself that dopamine could be found in acknowledging hardships. The large yellow sun rising from the teal abstract waters. Yellow rays reflecting on the water.
Prices:
You Ray Of F*cking Sunshine Coaster £3.95
You’re A Pizza Me Socks £7.50
Did I Tell You I Was Vegan Socks £7.50
Adult Nursery Rhymes Book £10.99
Temple of Incense 7 Chakra Incense Holder
She rubbed her eyes disorientated. Shadows carved into her dappled flesh. A testament to long days, and even longer nights. Thrashing against the tide of poor mental health that threatened to spill all her energy. She gazed listedly into the distance, taking a couple of minutes to centre herself and block out the noise. To pretend that those meat machines that we call cars weren’t puntuating the streets with pollution. The honk of a bus pulling into the lane. A group of people yelling outside Tesco’s. She shook her head, she wasn’t getting pulled into its chaos. Padding over to her computer to put on instrumental music you’d find in a spa. Wind chimes caressing balmy breezes. The tip-tap of ceremonial drums played with intention. Breathe in, breathe out. She reached for her Temple of Incense 7 Chakra Incense Holder. Running her hands over the beautiful engraved wood mindfully. Tracing each etching to memory as though it would invoke peace. It was something she struggled with, peace. Didn’t know what it felt to be grounded and certain. Navigating a world where uncertaintity triggered her fight or flight. Stuck in the unknown with no directions.
A vegan summer gift for tranquility is easy to find with Temple of Incense.
She lit the non-toxic vegan incense sticks in hope of guidance. The raw smell of Earth tickling at her blocked nostrils. Letting the aromatic scent of amber woods and earthy musk wash over her with optimism. She would find peace. Even if it was for 2 minutes a day, there was hope worth clinging onto. The notes of Tonka bean and Mitti danced on her skin lightheartedly. She tried to meditate again, still struggling with the breathwork that made her panic. It was a fear she was trying to overcome. But in this one moment she was oddly still. Sluggish from her period, her head pulsating with that familuar migraine that gnawed. Her eyes swollen and heavy, closing them. Shutting the blinds to create darkness. Not one that was stifling, but tranquil. She turned off the instrumental music and swapped it for a guided meditation. Taking care to focus on the things she could smell, hear, and feel while she practiced mindfulness. Remembering how a previous therapist had told her to let any unwanted thoughts float on by, rather than blocking them out. The Youtube teacher told her to imagine a garden, beautiful and blooming. To focus on the scent, on the way it looked. How the flower represented what she wanted to feel. How she was tending to this imaginary garden, cultivating a flower that represented tranquility she craved. The flower was awash with a rainbow of colours. A rainbow rose with violets, blues, reds and yellow bordering green. A stem free from thorns. Rain-water cascading on juicy petals. The incense continued to burn, the meditation coming to an end. She spent 5 extra minutes thinking about things she was grateful for. A vegan summer gift that forced her out of automation. No longer a robot going through the motions.
Price: £40
Vegan Food
PLAYinCHOC ToyChoc Boxes
It had been a long time since she listened to her inner child. The one that taught her how to play and let go. To care less about what other people thought, and embrace her uniqueness. To not be scared of living in the present. To be authentic to herself, no matter the consquences. It was little wonder though. Her childhood was difficult. Being abandoned by her mum aged 2 and a half. Being raised by her Dad as a single parent. Getting abused by her stepmother from the ages of 6 until 10. The transition into foster care. The bullying, trauma, and complex PTSD. It made sense that as an adult she struggled to have child-like wonder, when she rarely experienced it growing up. And as someone who had recently been diagnosed with combined type ADHD, she struggled to sit still and concentrate without feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Her inner child was playful. After all, she was someone who was goofy, self-described as a clown. But there were times were she tried to let loose, or have fun, and she’d become agitated. As though she was trying too hard. But when she was around animals, and children, she felt herself loosen up a bit. Remembering a recent trip to the stables watching the horses gobble up hay. Writing as she watched them, letting her worries seep out. Or another memory with her foster sister who had William’s Syndrome, in her new hot tub. Splashing water, and making up songs as the jets tickled their feet.
It was this curiosity that drew her to PLAYinChoc’s ToyChoc Boxes, bringing a selection for her foster sister. Her foster sister adored animals too. She went horse-riding. She had a pet turkey at a cruelty-free farm. She named chickens and donkeys down the caravan. She unveiled the Woodland Animals first. Two vegan organic chocolates, with a 3D cardboard puzzle toy to assemble and a fun facts card. They reached inside to see what animal her sister would get. It was a squirrel that she promptly named ‘fluffy’. Eagerly showing their foster mum, her new toy. They popped the organic single origin Peruvian Cacao into their mouths companionably. Sustainably and ethically sourced with 1/3 less sugar than other leading chocolate brands. Dairy, nut, gluten, soy and plastic-free, it felt indulgent even when free from so many allergens. But their personal joint favourite? The ToyChoc Box Dinosaurs, with their ultimate dinosaur, a T-rex inside. The Rabbit collection was fun too, learning about rabbit breeds she didn’t know existed. The Harlequin Dutch Rabbit? Utterly adorable. She was used to the adult chocolates from the PLAYinCHOC range, but the kid’s toy boxes were very whimsical. It was the perfect vegan summer gift for her foster sister. She couldn’t wait to collect more animal’s and add them to her collection.
Price: £2.49 per individual toybox
BOSH! More Plants Cookbook
A year ago, when she went vegan, people were flabberghasted. How can you survive without cheese? You’re not going to get enough protein. You’re limiting yourself. Your health issues is because of your diet. The irony was that she was vegetarian for a long time. 12 years to be exact, and the same thing was said then. And when she ate meat? She still had health issues. It was ironic, society’s perception of the things we put into our bodies. How they valued rotten carcases over fresh fruit and vegetables. She remembered in 2019 when Veganism was rampant. Celebrities exstolling its benefits. Foodie bloggers, and vegan restaurants popping up. Vegan cheeses and vegan fish. And now, in 2026, it was a wasteland. Vegan restaurants closing down because of the cost of living. Vegan brands she once loved disappearing without a trace. People she knew going back to eating meat. She wasn’t judgemental. But it seemed strange that someone could go back to it after protesting about animal rights. She understood it was difficult. Getting the right information about to create balanced meals. Navigating a world that could at times seem preachy. Becoming part of a movement that had so much opposition. But there were so many resources out there. She struggled with learning how to balance nutrients at first. In fact, in her first few years as a vegetarian she ate poorly. Even now, in times of self-destruction she would forget to look after herself. She was so much better though. Using platforms like Instagram to scout for recipes and meal plan for the week. Flicking through cookbooks like More Plants, to harness the power of good fruit and veg.
She’d scroll through blogs finding quirky and unusual dishes. There was something wholesome about a cookbook though. It made her fall in love with cooking. And being Vegan made cooking and sourcing ingredients much more exciting. She loved the idea of veganizing dishes that seemed impossible to find in the supermarkets. Vegan Mac and Cheese slathered in a silky bechemal sauce. Topped with garlic Tenderstem Broccoli. Creamy Black Dahl engorged with coconut cream. Vegan roti plunged into its rich velvety folds. Tofu scramble laced with black salt, paired with plantain, garlic spinach, tempeh bacon, peppers and broccoli. A cookbook she’d been excited by recently? More Plants, by Bosh! that would convince even the most cynical that plants were powerful. Now granted, it claimed to combine 30 plants a week, for 30 minute meals. She was a slow cook, so this was more like 45 minutes to an hour. However, the recipes were innovative. Coconut, Basil & Broccoli Noodle Broth, topped with a spicy peanut rayu. It was strange. Craving something hot in the heatwave. But the spices cleared out toxins. Each slurp a reminder to eat more intentionally. She took her chopsticks, wrapping the noodles clumsily around them with humour. Her personal favourite? The Cauliflower Steaks with Harissa Butterbean Mash. She was shocked. Thinking it wouldn’t be filling, or taste good. Thick cauliflower seared on a bed of whipped tahini. Bright coriander sauce offsetting the smokiness of the butterbean mash. She rarely ate breakfast. But on days where she did, the Smoky Smashed Chickpea Breakfast Tacos were a miracle cure. Nestled in spinach and cherry tomatoes. A dash of parsley and lime. As someone who liked multiple elements in her meals, More Plants made the perfect vegan summer gift.
Price: £22 on Amazon
What Are Your Go To Vegan Summer Gift Ideas?
*Disclaimer
Please note, I was gifted these products in exchange for inclusion in this article, but all thoughts are my own and are not affected by gifting. What’s your favourite vegan summer gift idea from the list?
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